PVMBG Urges The Public To Be Alert To Increased Activities Of Mount Dukono

Screenshot of CCTV showing the eruption of new material as high as approximately 1,000 meters that came out of the crater of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Thursday (9/11/2023). (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) appealed to the public to be aware of the increase in volcanic activity of Mount Dukono in northern Halmahera Island, North Maluku.

Head of PVMBG Hendra Gunawan said that the activity of Mount Dukono still did not show a decline and the occasional sound of crashing was heard.

"The public continues to maintain vigilance and activities as usual," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, November 18.

On November 17, 2023, PVMBG recorded the emergence of white, gray and black main crater smoke with a thick intensity as high as 100 to 2,600 meters from the peak of Mount Dukono.

In addition, there were 53 eruption earthquakes with amplitudes ranging from 7-34 millimeters and long earthquakes of 33.39-65.56 seconds.

Hendra said there was one distant tectonic earthquake with an amplitude of 34 millimeters and an earthquake of 297 seconds, then one continuous tremor earthquake with an amplitude of 0.5-4 millimeters.

Over the past two months, seismic activity on Mount Dukono has been dominated by eruption earthquakes and distant tectonic earthquakes.

However, the volcano, which has a height of 1,335 meters above sea level, is currently still at level II or alert.

PVMBG urges tourists not to do activities, climb, and approach the Maupang Warirang Crater within a two-kilometer radius. The closest settlement is 11 kilometers from the summit of the volcano.

PVMBG also urges people around Mount Dukono to always provide masks or mouth and mouth coverings to avoid the threat of volcanic ash in the respiratory system.